KEY POINTS:
Three teens are in custody after violent street robberies of high school students in Christchurch.
Police said three students were accosted while walking to or from school in the suburb of Hornby on Friday and another was attacked yesterday morning.
The victims all wore school uniforms and were walking alone.
The students were robbed of cash, I-Pods, cellphones and even food.
Hornby Detective Sergeant Ross Tarawhiti said it was believed a knife had been used to threaten the victims.
He said the attacks had left the schoolchildren traumatised.
"It's quite a terrifying experience for someone to pull a knife on them and assault them."
Three youths, aged 14, 15 and 16 were arrested last night and held in custody ahead of an appearance in Christchurch Youth Court this morning charged with four counts of aggravated robbery and one of assault.
Mr Tarawhiti said police would be strongly opposing bail.
- NZPA
